🚨 Recent Restaurant Closures 🚨

Chinatown Cafe

PASS

Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Address
262 HARRISON AV
Chinatown, MA 02111
Category
FS
Violations
11 total
⚠️ 1 critical
⚠ 4 major
Facility History
43 inspections
19 failures

Violations Cited

⚠️ CRITICAL 590.003/3-302.11-P
✓ Corrected

Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation Packaging and Segregation (P)

Raw ducks hanging over containers of fried noodles. Store raw animal product below ready to eat foods and produce. Old duck boxes in prep kitchen. Do not save old duck boxes- assume they are contaminated and must be discarded. Corrected on site

Why This Matters

DIRECT CONTAMINATION PATH: Raw chicken contains Salmonella (23% of samples) and Campylobacter (71% of samples). One drop of raw chicken juice can contaminate entire shelf below. Results in 1-3 million US illnesses annually.

Code Requirements

REORGANIZE IMMEDIATELY - Top to bottom: Ready-to-eat foods, Fish/Seafood (145°F), Whole meat/pork (145°F), Ground meat (155°F), Poultry (165°F) on bottom. Use separate coolers if needed. Cover all foods. Train all staff on proper order.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.003/3-501.15-PF
✓ Corrected

(A )Cooling Methods (Pf)

Cooked duck feet and wings in foam to-go containers at 70F in reach-in cooler. Cooked pork at cookline cooler 95F. Both items cooked within 1-2 hours. Spread out in shallow pans to cool fully before packing or placing into service.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
⚠ MAJOR 590.004/4-601.11-PF
✓ Corrected

(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)

Soiled knives stored on employee beverage shelf. Pot lids stored visibly soiled on back shelf. Blood pooling under shelf in walk-in cooler. Clean all areas and equipment to prevent contamination.

Why This Matters

Improper equipment maintenance can harbor bacteria and contaminate food

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper equipment procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
⚠ MAJOR 590.005/5-205.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)

Container of ginger blocking hand sinl in prep area. Hand sink must be accessible at all times. Corrected on site.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.005. Implement proper personal hygiene procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.005 | FDA Code: Section 5
⚠ MAJOR 590.007/7-102.11-PF
✓ Corrected

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Two spray bottles without labels full of red chemical. PIC stated chemical is oven cleaner. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination or possible poisoning.

Why This Matters

This violation supports conditions that may lead to foodborne illness

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.007. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.007 | FDA Code: Section 7
• MINOR 590.003/3-304.14-C
✓ Corrected

Wiping Cloths Use Limitation (C)

Soiled wiping cloths at cookline not stored in sanitizing solution. Retrain staff to store wiping cloths in sanitizer to prevent cross contamination.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.003. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.003 | FDA Code: Section 3
• MINOR 590.004/4-101.19-C
✓ Corrected

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Soiled cardboard lining shelf under prep table. Discard cardboard and discontinue linging shelves.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-501.12-C
✓ Corrected

Cutting Surfaces (C)

Cutting boards heavily scoured and worn. Resurface or replace to prevent contamination. Heavily worn cutting surfaces cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Cutting surfaces must be smooth and cleanable.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.004/4-602.13-C
✓ Corrected

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Interior of refrigerator under microwave soiled. Floor under steam table heavily soiled. Ceiling above ovens heavily soiled. Clean all areas to prevent contamination.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.004. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.004 | FDA Code: Section 4
• MINOR 590.006/6-202.15-C
✓ Corrected

Outer Openings Protected (C)

Back screen door of kitchen has sunlight visible at bottom edge. Replace door sweep as needed prevent pests form entering.

Why This Matters

PEST INVASION: Open doors allow entry of flies (carry 100+ pathogens), rodents (35+ diseases), and airborne contaminants. One fly can contaminate entire prep area in minutes, landing on 30+ surfaces spreading E. coli, Salmonella.

Code Requirements

Install self-closing devices on ALL exterior doors immediately. Doors must close completely within 3 seconds. No gaps over 1/4 inch. Consider air curtains for frequently used doors. Keep doors closed when not in active use.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
• MINOR 590.006/6-501.11-C
✓ Corrected

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Ceiling tiles missing in kitchen. Replace. Floor tiles in front of 3 compartment sink damaged. Repair as needed.

Why This Matters

This violation affects overall sanitation and food safety

Code Requirements

Immediate correction required. Follow health code section 105 CMR 590.006. Implement proper food safety procedures. Train all staff. Document corrective actions taken.

Mass. Code: 105 CMR 590.006 | FDA Code: Section 6
View Facility Profile →
Data sourced directly from Boston Inspectional Services Department